STORIES FROM THE WEB

2008/09 Toronto Maple Leafs Season Preview

Lets just say there’s a reason why Mats Sundin didn’t rush back to play with this team.

The Leafs biggest weakness is up front. Nik Antropov, Jason Blake, Jiri Tlusty and Alexei Ponikarovsky make up part of the top 6. Newly acquired Mikhail Grabovski and Niklas Hagman will add some offence along with Alex Steen. While forwards like Matt Stajan, Dominic Moore and Jamal Mayers will help out on the defensive side of things. Rookie John Mitchell is an interesting wild card and will start the season on the 3rd or 4th line.

Despite the forwards, their defence is looks pretty good. Tomas Kaberle and Pavel Kubina are the top two while guys like Carlo Colaiacovo, Mike Van Ryn, John Frogren, Anton Stralman and the man himself Jeff Finger add some good depth. Rookie Luke Schenn is starting off the season with the big club and if he continues his sold play from preseason will likely stay with the club, although they wont be relying heavily on him.

In net they have a solid #1 in Vesa Toskala and Curtis Joseph brings some good leadership to the dressing room but is far removed from being one of the top goalies in the league.

It’s the start of a rebuild for this team, so unless a miracle happens they’ll be on the outside looking in for the playoffs for the 4th year in a row.